Ghana charts path for ethical, regular labour mobility at high-level dialogue

The Government of the Republic of Ghana, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Union Commission (AUC), convened a National Policy Dialogue on Labour Mobility Pathways aimed at turning the potential of labour migration into sustainable development outcomes.

In 2019, more than 970,000 Ghanaians lived abroad, sending money home, sharing skills, and investing in the country. At the same time, Ghana hosted over 466,000 international migrants, mostly from countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), demonstrating its strong ties to the region’s labour market. With an active diaspora, a growing youth population, and strong regional partnerships, Ghana is well placed to use labour mobility to boost its economy and support development across West Africa.

“The National Policy Dialogue on Labour Mobility pathways marks a historic milestone in our collective pursuit for safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways,” said Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister, Labour, Jobs and Employment. “This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to empowering people, bolstering economies, and advancing sustainable development aspirations.”

The three-day discussions brought together senior policymakers, regional and international organizations, the World Bank, diaspora representatives, the private sector, civil society actors, migrants, and diplomatic missions of major destination countries for Ghanaian migrants to build a coordinated vision for safe, regular, and dignified labour mobility not only in Ghana but also across West and Central Africa. 

“This dialogue comes at a critical time for Ghana and the region,” said Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Ghana Chief of Mission. “At a time when irregular migration continues to expose migrants to risks of exploitation and abuse, expanding regular migration pathways is both a humanitarian necessity and a development opportunity,” she added.

As a Champion Country in the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration, Ghana continues to innovate and lead in providing protection to Ghanaians abroad, as well as migrants living in the country. In recent years, Ghana has aligned its legal policies with global and regional frameworks, including the AU Agenda 2063, the AU Migration Policy for Africa and key instruments such as the National Labour Migration Policy, the Human Trafficking Act, the Immigration Act, the National Migration Policy, and the Diaspora Engagement Policy.

Ghana is also deepening international cooperation through the development of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) and Skills Mobility Partnerships with comprehensive support through the AU-IOM-ILO Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), reinforcing its commitment to safe, regular, and mutually beneficial labour mobility.

The High-Level Policy Dialogue identified key priorities, including stronger coordination among agencies and stakeholders, improved data sharing, and innovative approaches to labour mobility such as skills partnerships, complementary pathways, and schemes that combine education with work or protection.

As labour markets evolve and migration dynamics shift across West and Central Africa, IOM remains committed to its role as a trusted convener, supporting governments, communities, and partners in co-creating solutions that ensure migration is safe, regular, and beneficial for all.

The National Policy Dialogue on Labour Mobility Pathways in Ghana was implemented with support from the JLMP and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

For more information, kindly contact Mr. Eric Akomanyi, National Project Officer, IOM Ghana by email: eakomanyi@iom.int